Dress code sought for trial of man accused of driving into pack of motorcyclists

Jul. 4, 2013

Clinton Lovelace

Written by

Sam Strong

The Reporter Media

The defense attorney for the 26-year-old Hilbert man accused of causing a crash that killed two motorcyclists and injured eight others requested that the court consider a dress code for observers attending the trial.

The request came at a status conference Wednesday afternoon that also confirmed that there was oxycodone in Clinton Lovelace’s system at the time of the crash.

According to the criminal complaint, Lovelace drove into a pack of motorcyclists on Highway 151 on May 2012, killing two men and injuring eight others. Lovelace is charged with two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, three counts of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle, five counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, two counts of bail jumping and one count of possession of a controlled substance.

Defense attorney Mary Wolfe said she requested consideration of a dress code because jurors might be influenced by the attire of motorcyclists likely to attend the trial, which is scheduled to begin Oct. 9. Wolfe did not make a formal motion for a dress code at the hearing, nor was there specific attire mentioned.

Assistant District Attorney Dennis Krueger questioned the request, stating it may conflict with first amendment rights.